- OTEvents - Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers

Sidewalk Astronomy next Saturday
by Jane Houston Jones 21 Feb '15

21 Feb '15

Weather permitting, we'll be out with telescopes in Monrovia next Saturday the 28th. Starting at about 6 p.m. for 2 -2.5 hours.... The weather scared us out of taking the 3 hour drive to Amboy Crater tonight. We'll post observing intents to go there on this list in case any of you would like to join us. Amboy Crater is BLM land, there really isn't a place to camp on the lava, but there is a huge parking lot and pit toilets. So people with telescopes often just observe all night and pack up in the morning. It's ok to leave before dawn by parking away from the telescopes - on the way out of the parking lot facing out, and careful use of car lights. We're a friendly bunch. There are closer places to observe but none with 360 degree views clear down to the horizon or located with the darkest skies. Amboy is the closest place with a "black" pin on this map: http://cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/California_map.html?Mn=meteorites . We also go to Glacier Point in Yosemite once a year - if anyone wants to combine star gazing with a Yosemite trip. More about that when we find out our date this year. But anyone can head up to Glacier point any non-full-moon weekend Jul through Labor Day and enjoy looks free looks through dozens of telescopes set up by sponsoring astronomy clubs And as a reminder our twice a year Mojave National Preserve Star parties will be on Saturday June 13th 2015 and Saturday October 17th 2015. The Black Canyon Group (near Hole in the Wall campground and the visitor center) will be available Friday night as well. Bring a pot luck item to share if you want to. After we know how many people are bringing telescopes, we can let you know if there is room for more - the telescope platform is rather small - with room for half a dozen scopes for the public star party. -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For February? PlanetPairs <3 http://youtu.be/NR8HCsog5MM

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Look up - Venus and Mars + the moon!
by Jane Houston Jones 21 Feb '15

21 Feb '15

Look west just as soon as it gets dark tonight (Friday) and tomorrow night too and see a pretty pairing of Mars and Venus! They are closer than they've been in half a dozen years. Tonight you'll see the slender crescent moon just below the pair, and tomorrow night the moon will be a little bigger crescent above the planets. Here's a little blurb I wrote about along with this months What's Up video. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm Also, we have selected dates for both the spring and fall Mojave National Preserve star parties! The Spring MNP Star Party will be Saturday June 13th 2015 and the Fall MNP Star Party will be Saturday October 17th 2015. If you haven't joined us, sometimes lead time will help with you planning. This is a dark sky, free group campsite in the middle of the Mojave National Preserve (for a limited number of tents, and there is a RSVP but it is free) a communal pot luck, some brief words from the Mojave National Preserve Conservancy, the Rangers, and ahem, me. Then telescopes! It won't get dark in June until about 9 p.m, but we couldn't make any dates fit all of our schedules when the campsite was available until June. That's why we went ahead and selected the fall date ahead of time. More on that later. For now, get outside and look up, if it is clear! Also, three of us may be going to Amboy Crater for dark sky observing tomorrow. Shoot me an email if you plan to join us - we would leave around noon- 1 p.m. from Monrovia to set up before dark. There are some dark sky observing rules about lights, so let me know if you want to join us, and I'll fill you in. Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Monrovia, CA Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For February? PlanetPairs <3 http://youtu.be/NR8HCsog5MM

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If you want to overcome Hypothyroidism – Don`t Do This!
by Elizabeth Harris 01 Feb '15

01 Feb '15

Remove me from this list: http://mail3.hypersolution.club/unsubscribe.php?M=286351&C=e98236801f8d5c17… Hi, I`m sure you are well aware that there`s no shortage of information on the internet, especially when it comes to Hypothyroidism. The good news is that all of this information helps to bring much needed awareness to Hypothyroidism and the DEVASTATING effects it can have on your life. But what if I told you that 95% of hypothyroidism sufferers, like yourself, are using treatment options that are actually causing more harm than good… making you more hypothyroid every day? Why? Because they are based entirely on misinformation instead of sound and scientific research. The real question is… How can you protect yourself from this misinformation and from becoming just another one of these 95% of sufferers who are doing it all wrong? Well, I just found this great hypothyroidism resource which will really help clear up the confusion for you. The following video I`m about to share with you contains a lot of great information on how to naturally overcome hypothyroidism by stopping it directly at the source. The best part is that it`s actually based on scientific research… Scientific research that I will bet that you have never even seen before. Click here to watch it: http://mail3.hypersolution.club/link.php?M=286351&N=2&L=1&F=T I know this will open your eyes as much as it did mine. Elizabeth Harris

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Sidewalk astronomy tonight in Monrovia
by Morris Jones 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

It's a clear and slightly chilly night expected in Monrovia. The crescent moon will be out early, and later Jupiter might clear the trees to the east. While tonight's sky is expected to be very transparent (dark), the other atmospheric feature that affects astronomy is scintillation, a measure of how turbulent the air is. Astronomers have a technical term for this: "seeing." The seeing tonight is not expected to be very good, because of different layers of air temperature and upper level winds. That's what gives the slightly watery effect you notice when you view the moon or planets through a telescope, and it gives stars more of a twinkle when you look up at the night sky. Notice the brightest star Sirius tonight due south, and see how it flashes and changes color as its light passes through the turbulent air. It's a little like looking up at the sky from the bottom of a deep swimming pool. But "seeing" is highly variable! If you look for a while, you will have moments when you're looking through air that isn't turbulent, and you can see fine detail: mountain peaks and lava tubes on the moon, cloud belts and swirls on Jupiter. Come take a look if you can. Jane and I have a family engagement tonight so we won't be there, but Todd and Dave and maybe some others are planning to set up from about 6:00 'til 8:00. Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

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Comet visible in your binoculars (just as we get clouds for the weekend)
by Jane Houston Jones 08 Jan '15

08 Jan '15

Mojo and I were talking last night while observing a fairly bright comet, which is visible near the familiar constellation Orion. So we thought we should take telescopes out Saturday night. But this morning we looked at the weather forecast, and sadly we are expecting clouds and even a chance of rain this weekend. If that changes, we'll let you know, with short notice, probably on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, if it's clear where you live, definitely step outside with your binoculars and you too can aim your binos at C/2014 Q2 Lovejoy. Its color is unmistakeable. It will appear as a ghostly faint fuzzy blue-green patch much bigger than a star in your binoculars. If you can Identify Orion, the comet is moving North, from parallel to Orion's knee, Rigel. It's now close to the Belt stars, and in a week will be near the Pleiades. I've seen it every night from my front door using 7 x 50 binoculars Here is where to look all month long (for both northern and southern hemispheres) http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-view.cfm?WUID=1945 In two weeks, three of Jupiter's moons will scoot across the visible disk of Jupiter, preceded by their shadows - a triple shadow transit! It's a telescopic viewing opportunity (maybe you'll spot one of the shadows through good binoculars) and our Monrovia Corner isn't well suited for this event since it goes on until 11 p.m. on Friday the 23rd of January. Jupiter won't rise above the buildings until 9 p.m. or so. Jupiter is the sole topic of my January What's Up video, you can enjoy it here, and marvel at the images of moons, shadows, eclipse and occultations, all contributed by amateur astronomers around the world, and this month, from one of our local sidewalk astronomers, Jon Philpott! His images appear at 45 seconds into the video and one features a backyard telescope view of Jupiter and the other showing the 4 galilean moons, two right next to each other, with an overexposed Jupiter to see the moons better. Here's the YouTube ink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWlYTppifhI, and more video formats are here. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm There are lots of other naked eye planets to view this month. That's Venus shining brightly in the west at sunset, with faint Mercury nearby, and Mars above. Jupiter is king this month, visible all month long. You can see Saturn at dawn, too! Thanks all for this month from Jane -- Jane Houston Jones Senior Outreach Specialist, Cassini & InSight Missions @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For January? Jupiter http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm or http://youtu.be/YWlYTppifhI

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Sidewalk astronomy in Monrovia
by Morris Jones 27 Dec '14

27 Dec '14

Jane and I are in transit from the east coast right now, but a couple of astronomers are thinking of setting up telescopes at Myrtle & Lime tonight. It's going to get cold later on, so you might catch them early, around 6 or 7. There will be a nice crescent moon and possibly a little Venus. Jupiter rises bright in the east later in the evening, but probably too late for this month's observing. Next month Jupiter should be putting on a good show. Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

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No sidewalk tonight
by Morris Jones 30 Nov '14

30 Nov '14

We have two problems with sidewalk astronomy tonight in Monrovia. (a) Jane and I are both road weary from holiday travel, and (b) the weather conditions are expected to deteriorate. We only had one target this month anyway, but it is a nice moon. If it's clear where you are, go have a look! We'll try again in January. :) Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://whiteoaks.com

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Clouds and sprinkles for Halloween
by Jane Houston Jones 30 Oct '14

30 Oct '14

Mojo and I were considering taking some telescopes out to Myrtle and Lime Streets Friday night for Halloween, but the forecast doesn't look good enough. In lieu of that, here is my annual Spooky Observing List, including scary named lunar features visible on the moon this week. http://jane.whiteoaks.com/2009/10/30/spooky-halloween-observing/ We are still going on with our twice-a-year Mojave National Preserve Star party, tho the forecast is for up to 18 mph winds, and temps dipping into the 30's at night. So bring layers for your layers. :-) Details here http://www.scribd.com/doc/242322077/Mojave-National-Preserve-Star-Party-Nov… The same day, over at the Kelso Depot within Mojave National Preserve is MojaveFest, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the California Desert Protection Act, which established Mojave national Preserve. The fest , 9-5 p.m. features food, kids activities, ranger-led talks and guided walks, book signings and dance performances. - http://www.nps.gov/moja/upload/Mojave-Fest-Flyer-for-web.pdf What a great way to experience Mojave National Preserve, with the preserve during the day, and they sky above the preserve at night! Jane -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

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ISS pass tonight, Eclipse after midnight, possible comet sighting, Dark Sky Star party Nov 1
by Jane Houston Jones 07 Oct '14

07 Oct '14

Hi everyone, sorry about the cancelled sidewalk astronomy night Oct 4. None of our astronomers were available that night. Mojo and I were in Hawaii, where we attended the Hawaiian Astronomical Society's monthly in-town star party, however. We observed one planet, one star and three moons (2 of Saturn's, and our own moon) in spite of heavy clouds, nearby rain, and even a flood warning over central Oahu. Tonight Tuesday the 7th, look for a 6 minute long ISS pass beginning at 7:03 p.m., reaching a height of 74 degrees, nearly overhead! It appears in the SW and disappears in the NE. That's not all! There is a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday morning. If the sky is clear, the entire event should be visible to the unaided eye from the West Coast. The particulars are as follows (all times are Pacific): partial eclipse begins 2:14 a.m., totality begins 3:25 a.m., greatest eclipse 3:55 a.m., totality ends 4:24 a.m., partial eclipse ends 5:34 a.m. All before sunrise! And that's not all either! There's a partial solar eclipse later in the month (visible in the afternoon of October 23rd). I'll send out another email with save viewing tips before the 23rd., but my monthly podcast gives some details. You all know never to look directly at the sun with special solar filters or glasses, of course. I cover all these things in my monthly What's Up podcast, plus Comet Siding Spring's close encounter with Mars on the 19th. It's unlikely that the comet will be visible, but I show where to look. If it does make an appearance and I see it, or think you can see it with binoculars, I'll be sure to let everybody know. Another exciting month of astronomy is underway! What's Up Video: http://youtu.be/uPQh0JwfEh4 or many versions here, and check out September - it is still relevant: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/whatsup-archive.cfm What's Up for October flyer, suitable for sharing http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/docs/Whats_Up_October_2014.pdf Mark your calendar for November 1. Although this should be our monthly sidewalk date, it was the only Mojave Campground opening for our twice-a-year dark sky star party. Details here http://www.mojavepreserve.org/, and although the November flyer is not on the website, the May 31 flyer has directions and RSVP info. Free campsite, Bring your own potluck, breafast on your own, RSVP is just so the park knows how many people are coming. -- Jane Houston Jones @jhjones @CassiniSaturn @NASAInsight What's Up For Oct? Eclipses, near misses http://youtu.be/gj9MshXoUy0

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High, bright pass of the Int'l Space Station tonight
by Morris Jones 06 Oct '14

06 Oct '14

From Los Angeles tonight, just a few minutes before 8 p.m., there's a high bright pass of the International Space Station. It will appear low in the southwest about 7:54, and by 7:56 it'll be very high in the sky, slightly to the west, moving from southwest to northeast. It will be very bright, looking like a moving star. Just after 7:57, it will pass into earth's shadow, and slowly fade out of sight in the northeast. If you see it, be sure to wave at the astronauts! For other passes and satellite information, I use http://heavens-above.com Best regards, Mojo -- Morris Jones Monrovia, CA http://mojo.whiteoaks.com

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